Is Your Holiday Home Protected From The ‘Silent Killer’? Carbon Monoxide Responsibilities For Accommodation Providers

When someone books a holiday, what features do they look for? Maybe a hot tub, fire pit or log burner for that little bit of luxury? A carbon monoxide detector might not be top of the list, but with carbon monoxide (CO), or the ‘Silent Killer’ responsible for around 60 accidental deaths every year in England and Wales, ensuring your holiday accommodation is CO safe should be a priority. Did you know that as a holiday home owner in England, you have a legal responsibility to comply with regulations relating to carbon monoxide safety? Holiday-makers want to have peace of mind that their safety is a top priority when booking a holiday, and carbon monoxide safety is no exception.

Why is carbon monoxide dangerous?

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a highly poisonous gas with no smell or taste and can be difficult to detect without the aid of a carbon monoxide detector. Symptoms such as tiredness, shortness of breath, nausea and headaches can be easily mistaken for flu or food poisoning. However, after exposure to high levels for 2 hours, the person may become unconscious and could die from this poisonous gas. With such sudden consequences, early detection is critical.

Accommodation providers: Your responsibilities

CO gas is produced by the incomplete burning of fuels containing carbon, for example coal, wood, gas or charcoal. A build-up in emissions of CO gas can come from:
• Faulty gas appliances
• Fuel burning stoves, open fires or BBQs used in poorly ventilated areas
• Running a car engine in an enclosed space.

Holiday Home Owners, like landlords, have a responsibility to ensure that their properties are compliant with the regulations Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (England) Regulations 2015. These regulations state that a carbon monoxide detector should be fitted in any room that has a solid fuel burning appliance such as a log burner or open fire. Whilst not a legal requirement, it is also advisable to install a detector in any room with a gas or oil burning appliance such as a boiler or oven. You should also check and log all smoke and CO alarms on change-over day for added peace on mind.

The maintenance of gas appliances in all properties is also of paramount importance. The Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 outlines the legal duties of self-catering accommodation providers to ensure the safety of any guests. All gas appliances should be installed and checked annually by a Gas Safe Engineer. Accommodation providers need to ensure adequate ventilation throughout the holiday accommodation. This is of particular importance in caravans, lodges and tents or glamping pods.

Provide information for your tenants

With frequent change-over of tenants and short-term occupancy, it may also help to provide a factsheet with guidance on carbon monoxide safety. Information such as how to locate and turn off the mains gas supply, what to do if the carbon monoxide alarm goes off or who to contact in an emergency may prove invaluable. Some tenants will be unfamiliar with gas appliances and general advice on how to use them safely could be useful.

Furthermore, unlike some smoke alarms that are prone to false triggers, a CO alarm is very unlikely to go off unless it detects carbon monoxide. False alarms are very unlikely and residents should be advised to act immediately and assume it is an emergency situation. Many people are not aware of the CO emissions from BBQs and camp fires. Cosy fires and family BBQs can prove deadly if emissions are allowed to accumulate in a tent, glamping pod or caravan. Campsites or caravan sites are advised to alert campers to the possible dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning from these activities.

Confidence in the UK holiday market

With the trend in UK ‘staycations’ looking set to continue into next year, ensuring the safety of guests in all accommodation will only help to increase confidence in UK holidays. Families should have peace of mind that their safety is of the utmost importance. There are many options for carbon monoxide alarms including combined or separate smoke and CO alarms, audible and visual cues and fixed or portable units. The requirement of each accommodation type varies depending on size, risks and structure.

The Kidde 7DCO alarm is a great solution for most providers as it is Kitemarked as safe for use in all domestic situations as well as in caravans, boats and tents. Its 10-year lifespan, digital display and option for free-standing or wall-mounting makes it a reliable and flexible option. And, with readings taken every 15 seconds and displayed on the digital panel, guests would have complete peace of mind that they are protected from the ‘silent killer’.

A suitable carbon monoxide alarm — Digital Display Carbon Monoxide Alarm 10 Yr Warranty – Kidde 7DCO

If you are an accommodation provider and would like more information, please contact our customer care team on 0800 612 6537.

Mel Saunders

Marketing Designer

Mel joined our team at the start of 2020. She creates our marketing materials and manages our social media accounts.

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Disposable Face Shields

In pubs, receptions and public places staff frequently wear face masks covering nose and mouth to protect themselves and the public against the spread of airborne germs and viruses. This is usually sufficient to offer reasonable protection. However, what happens if a member of the public falls ill and the member of staff has to provide support or even first aid?

Disposable face shield protects against airborne germs, bacteria, and viruses. — Disposable face shield protects against airborne germs, bacteria, and viruses

A face mask on its own is not sufficient protection if the ill person coughs or sneezes. Droplets could easily infect the first aider through their eyes or where the mask does not fully seal around the mouth and nose. In such cases a face shield is required. However, in places of work where there are multiple staff members it is impractical to store hard plastic face shields for such an emergency. The risk of cross-contamination is just too high and these hard plastic face shields need periodical sanitising to ensure they stay safe to use. Safelincs’ disposable face shields provide the ideal solution. They can be stored flat and can be rapidly deployed in an emergency. They offer a good field of vision, protect the entire face and do not slip even when kneeling down or moving rapidly.

After use they can simply be disposed of without having to clean them, preventing the risk of cross infection and spreading viruses such as COVID-19. They are supplied in packs of 20 and are very economic starting from £0.30 per shield. Please contact Safelincs if you have any questions or would like to trial these shields. Telephone 0800 612 6537 or email support@safelincs.co.uk.

Harry Dewick-Eisele

Managing Director

MD and founder of Safelincs. Harry has a wealth of in-depth knowledge of all aspects of fire safety and related legislation.

Latest Posts by Harry Dewick-Eisele

Disposable Face Shields22nd July 2020
Safelincs Supplying New Nightingale Hospitals21st April 2020
Providing fire safety cover across a large office estate11th April 2019

Safelincs Celebrates the Return of Furloughed Staff

Like many other companies, we had to furlough a significant number of our staff when the lockdown started to ensure the safe survival of the company. Now, three months after the lockdown began we have managed to bring back the majority of the team and it is hoped that the three part-time staff who are currently on furlough will be able to return to work in the next few days and weeks. Strong domestic sales as well as a number of large projects such as the Nightingale Hospitals helped to bridge the lockdown and a strong recovery is underway. People from all departments supported the sales team to handle the demand. A particular point of pride is that the company has been able to commence with a new member of staff who had been interviewed just before the lockdown began.

Throughout lockdown staff and their families were involved in initiatives to keep in touch and one of these initiatives was to make pompoms that have now been brought together on an 80ft long garland. This amazing garland has now been hung onto the company’s huge cedar tree to celebrate reaching the current milestones.

Angie Dewick-Eisele

Marketing Manager

Angie has been our marketing manager since joining in 2002. She also has a keen interest in H&S issues.

Latest Posts by Angie Dewick-Eisele

Fire Exits: 10 Things Businesses Should Know19th April 2021
A Guide to Fire Safety in Offices26th February 2021
Lighting the Way – What You Need to Know About Emergency Lighting18th February 2021

Getting ready to go back to work- COVID-19 assessment tips

The Government is now advising businesses to start going back to work if they are unable to work from home but they must put procedures in place to protect their staff and customers. For some businesses, this is a daunting thought, and knowing what to take into consideration can be a minefield. Here are some useful tips to help you make your COVID-19 risk assessment.

Warehouse staff wearing a face mask for personal protection.

Social distancing and PPE

Current guidelines state that a distance of at least 2 meters between people should be enforced, using markers on floors to provide a guide can be as simple as using coloured tape on the floor or you can use specially made floor markings with advisory text on them. Having a visual guide helps staff to know how far away they are from each other and gives confidence that they are a safe distance.

If for some reason, you are unable to adhere to the 2 meter rule you must supply PPE, such as masks and gloves for staff. Make sure that these are easily accessible and that everyone knows how to correctly wear the mask. You should also supply hand sanitiser at these PPE stations. Having a dedicated sanitisation stand may be a simple option to ensuring that the correct PPE is available at the right locations. Staff should be given clear instructions as to when to change gloves and masks to ensure that these items of PPE do not become contaminated.

Reducing group staff numbers

It may be necessary to look at reducing the number of staff you have working in the same area. Assessing if any of your staff can continue to work from home can help with this, but you need to be mindful that home workers have the correct equipment and that you are still taking their health and safety seriously. Providing these staff members with a home working fire safety kit will ensure that all fire and first aid risks are covered.

Be creative and look at different shift patterns, you may be surprised at suggestions put forward by your staff, so include them in your decision making. Look at the pros and cons of these new shifts, increasing the day to a 12-hour shift may sound daunting but with the balance of more days off in the week this is a really good compromise.

If you are unsure which infection control products are suitable for you, give our customer care team a call for advice 0800 612 6537.

Angie Dewick-Eisele

Marketing Manager

Angie has been our marketing manager since joining in 2002. She also has a keen interest in H&S issues.

Latest Posts by Angie Dewick-Eisele

Fire Exits: 10 Things Businesses Should Know19th April 2021
A Guide to Fire Safety in Offices26th February 2021
Lighting the Way – What You Need to Know About Emergency Lighting18th February 2021

NHS staff discount, a little something to say thanks

To say thank you to all our care workers, for all your hard work and dedication during this pandemic, we are offering you a 15% discount on all our products.

We can offer you over 6000 fire and safety products and services to help protect you and your family, including smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, fire escape ladders, as well as first aid and burns kits. We also offer free services such as our smoke alarm testing reminder service to ensure that your alarms are in good working order and ready to alert you in the event of a fire.

To access this offer you can either use this form or go to the Blue Light Card website.

You help keep us healthy, we want to help keep you safe.

Angie Dewick-Eisele

Marketing Manager

Angie has been our marketing manager since joining in 2002. She also has a keen interest in H&S issues.

Latest Posts by Angie Dewick-Eisele

Fire Exits: 10 Things Businesses Should Know19th April 2021
A Guide to Fire Safety in Offices26th February 2021
Lighting the Way – What You Need to Know About Emergency Lighting18th February 2021

A way to maintain your extinguishers and minimise the risk of infection

For many businesses finding alternative ways of working is becoming second nature as we look at ways to operate our businesses while minimising the risk of contracting Coronavirus. Maintaining your fire safety is one issue that must be addressed in this new environment. Traditional extinguishers require a qualified service engineer to visit your premises to test the extinguishers, putting you and your staff at risk. The P50 service-free extinguisher eliminates the need for a site visit and will save you money too!

P50 extinguishers can help you minimise the risk of infection

The unique construction of the P50 extinguisher means that you do not need to arrange for a service engineer to attend your site, instead, after watching a detailed training video, you will be able to carry out the annual visual inspection for your extinguishers. This gives you confidence that you are not introducing new risks of infection and addresses concerns whether visitors to your site adhere to your company’s social distancing rules.

There are plenty of additional benefits, too. P50 extinguishers have a ten-year life span before they need to be refurbished for a further ten years. They are kinder to the environment as they do not require a discharge and re-fill like a traditional extinguisher after five years and because they are made from 100% recyclable materials. As you no longer have any service engineer fees to pay and the extinguisher has an extended lifespan, you will save over 50% of your usual costs per extinguisher.

To find out more about the P50 visit https://www.safelincs.co.uk/britannia-fireworld-service-free-fire-extinguishers/ or call 0800 612 653

Angie Dewick-Eisele

Marketing Manager

Angie has been our marketing manager since joining in 2002. She also has a keen interest in H&S issues.

Latest Posts by Angie Dewick-Eisele

Fire Exits: 10 Things Businesses Should Know19th April 2021
A Guide to Fire Safety in Offices26th February 2021
Lighting the Way – What You Need to Know About Emergency Lighting18th February 2021

Fantastic Service, Despite COVID-19

It has been heartwarming to receive so many comments from our customers telling us that we are delivering a fantastic service despite all the restrictions that COVID-19 places on us.

We have put a lot of new processes in place to ensure that we are meeting all the guidelines and protecting our staff. Despite the vast majority of our 60 strong team now working from home we have maintained the exceptional service that makes Safelincs an award-winning company.

Here is what our customers say:

Whilst the difficulties that Covid-19 present are challenging we will continue to supply essential safety products and services to organisations and domestic customers to support and protect people.

Angie Dewick-Eisele

Marketing Manager

Angie has been our marketing manager since joining in 2002. She also has a keen interest in H&S issues.

Latest Posts by Angie Dewick-Eisele

Fire Exits: 10 Things Businesses Should Know19th April 2021
A Guide to Fire Safety in Offices26th February 2021
Lighting the Way – What You Need to Know About Emergency Lighting18th February 2021

Safelincs Supplying New Nightingale Hospitals

Over the last few days and weeks we have supplied a number of the new Nightingale Hospitals with essential firefighting equipment and evacuation equipment, usually within very short delivery time frames. To enable a dedicated articulated lorry to collect equipment for the Nightingale Hospital in Cardiff we arranged a special collection and opened specifically for this over the Easter Bank Holiday. We also had to hit tight deadlines to get fire safety equipment to Portsmouth to meet a boat supplying the Nightingale Hospital in Jersey. We are very proud to be part of the nationwide effort to fight the virus and it goes without saying that we heavily discounted the products for the NHS, as we do not want to profiteer from this emergency.

As an essential business, Safelincs is carefully balancing the supply of life-protecting safety equipment with making sure that we protect the health of our staff and keep risks of contracting and spreading Covid-19 as low as possible. We have put a multitude of safety measure in place, such as daily temperature checks and single occupancy of offices as well as social distancing measures in our warehouse and the introduction of split shifts of staff who never come into contact with each other. Out of our 60 staff members, we only have 21 staff spread out over our large 78,000sqf offices and warehouses and 14 staff working from home. We have also implemented extra daily routines for cleaning and disinfecting surfaces and door handles and meetings take place over Zoom.

It has been a humbling experience to see every staff member pull together, coping with the sometimes burdensome safety measures.

Harry Dewick-Eisele

Managing Director

MD and founder of Safelincs. Harry has a wealth of in-depth knowledge of all aspects of fire safety and related legislation.

Latest Posts by Harry Dewick-Eisele

Disposable Face Shields22nd July 2020
Safelincs Supplying New Nightingale Hospitals21st April 2020
Providing fire safety cover across a large office estate11th April 2019

Contact-free delivery service

The coronavirus pandemic has affected us all and social distancing has now become part of our everyday life. Limiting contact with delivery drivers when your fire safety order arrives prevents the spread of the Covid-19 virus. To help or customers maintain social distancing we want to tell you about the new My Places feature on the Hermes App.

If your parcel is being delivered by Hermes you can arrange a contact-free delivery by uploading a photo of your preferred safe place (such as your garage, shed or porch) to the Hermes App, My Places. Your delivery driver will be able to see these images and will deliver your parcel safely to your personal safe place.

To find out more visit https://new.myhermes.co.uk/our-services/mobile-app.html. Safelincs is working closely with Hermes to ensure that your essential items arrive as quickly and as safely as possible to you in these unprecedented times.

Angie Dewick-Eisele

Marketing Manager

Angie has been our marketing manager since joining in 2002. She also has a keen interest in H&S issues.

Latest Posts by Angie Dewick-Eisele

Fire Exits: 10 Things Businesses Should Know19th April 2021
A Guide to Fire Safety in Offices26th February 2021
Lighting the Way – What You Need to Know About Emergency Lighting18th February 2021

Risks of Working From Home

Working from home is often a new and exciting experience for many employees, but it also brings with it new responsibilities. There are a number of associated risks that are often overlooked or forgotten; risks that you wouldn’t usually consider when working normally because someone else is responsible.

Home working combines all the safety hazards you would find in your normal working environment but instead places them all in your own home. Our Home Working Fire Safety Kit provides a number of essentials for dealing with these risks, giving you piece of mind.

One risk is the increase in the use of electronic devices and wiring, which is a serious fire hazard. In a rush to start work, sockets can easily be overloaded providing an opportunity for fire to break out. Electrical fires are still one of the most common causes of fire in the UK so limiting the chance of ignition is crucial.

Where possible avoid keeping flammable materials, such as paper, near wires and plug sockets. Make sure that your electrical appliances are correctly looked after – do the wires look to be in good health with no damage to the sheathing? The 1kg Powder Extinguisher in this kit will tackle the common fire risks in your home office, including electrical fires.

Working flexible hours when home working is very common and you may find yourself working at night as a result of this. All business workplaces should be fitted with emergency lighting but it is unlikely that you will have this in your own home. The Safe T Light Portable Emergency Light is ideal for home use and will provide you with adequate light to safely evacuate your home in an emergency, should there be a power failure.

Although many people working from home will be office workers, this kit also serves those in the craft or catering industry. The St John Ambulance First Aid Kit is equipped to deal with the most common accidents in and around the home.

People working from home should be encouraged to review the risks and take the appropriate precautions to prevent fires and accidents from happening. Those precautions should include having the means to detect and manage a fire should one occur. In our Home Working Fire Safety Kit, we have also included an optical smoke alarm and a fire blanket to help you cover all the common risks found in the home.

To assist with protecting yourself, your family and your home, there a few simple steps that we would recommend:

Ensure you have the appropriate fire detection and protection methods for yourself and your home, should a fire break out.
Regularly check the health of your devices and their wiring. If any wires appear to be damaged, that device should not be used.
Ensure all electrical devices are turned off and unplugged when not in use to reduce the risk of fire.
Equip your home with a first aid kit, as injuries are often unexpected and immediate treatment is usually the best course of action.
Know how you would evacuate your home in the event of a fire and practice this with all members of the household.

Safelincs Home Working Fire Safety Kit

Fire blanket included for emergency escape
Supplied with a portable powder extinguisher and emergency light
St John Ambulance first aid kit provides the essentials for minor injuries
Also supplied with an optical smoke alarm
Protect your home office / home working environment

£43.99 ex VAT

£52.79 inc VAT

Buy Now

For more information about our product range or to place an order, call today on 0800 612 6537.

Connor Storr

Product Administrator

Connor is one of our product administrators. He has a wealth of knowledge when it comes to fire and security safes and fire doors.

Latest Posts by Connor Storr

Risks of Working From Home6th April 2020
Is Your Empty Property Protected From Fire and Malicious Attack?3rd April 2020
Finally, fire and carbon monoxide protection for kitchens combined in just one alarm4th February 2019